Mountain West Conference Preview
Air Force Falcons (2021/10-3, 6-2/2nd) – Air Force had a quality season in 2021, ending up with 10 wins and with all 3 losses by 6 points or fewer. The Falcons return six starters from an offense that led the nation in rushing. QB Hazziq Daniels ran for over 700 yards and 11 TDs while not turning the ball over. FB Brad Roberts returns after rushing for 1357 yards and allowing his team to churn out clock eating drives. The defense led the league and while losing six starters, featured all conference candidates like DE Vince Sanford. The Falcons may take a step back this season, but they remain a title contender and a rugged opponent every Saturday.
Boise State Broncos (2021/7-5, 5-3/3rd) – Most programs would consider 7-5 a quality season. Not Boise State, where expectations are higher than most schools in the country. The offense struggled to run the ball which has always been a Bronco staple. A revamped offensive line and the return of leading rusher George Holani should regenerate the run game. QB Hank Bachmeier can help balance out the attack with his accuracy. The defense can improve if the front can get more consistent pressure on opposing QBs. The secondary brings back 3 starters from a disruptive unit that picked off 13 passes. Boise State has the talent to resume its accustomed place atop the Mountain West.
Colorado State Rams (2021/3-9, 2-6/T9th) – The Rams stumbled through a forgettable 2021 season with a 3-9 record. Colorado State snatched away coach Jay Norvell from conference rival Nevada and expects to be much improved. The offense will need immediate help from a large group of transfers. Among these are QB Clay Millen who followed his coach from Nevada. With two top returning WRs as well as two impact transfers, the offense will rely on the passing game. The defense will count on the transfer portal as well, though top tackler LB Cam’Ron Carter is a returner. This program is accustomed to competing for the title, and if the transfers contribute immediately, 2022 can be a good year for the Rams
Fresno State Bulldogs (2021/10-3, 6-2/T2nd) – Fresno State enjoyed a 10-win season in 2021 and more good times are on the way. Veteran coach Jeff Tedford returns to his alma mater with a history of grooming quarterbacks to play in the NFL. He has another pro prospect in Jake Haener who threw for over 4,000 yards and 33 TDs. Jalen Cropper returns coming off an 85-catch season, and there are two other productive pass catchers as well. A solid defense returns seven starters including DE David Peralta, a very disruptive force. Evan Williams is probably the league’s best safety and brings tremendous versatility to the table. If the offensive line keeps Haener upright and the defense does its part, the Bulldogs are in the mix for the league championship.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (2021/6-7, 3-5/T7th) – Hawaii is trying to reset its program after the disastrous Todd Graham era which ended in a cloud of abuse allegations. Legendary QB Timmy Chang returns to his alma mater as head coach and inherits a program that has reached four straight bowl games despite the controversy. Chang’s offense is going to be pass oriented and features a competition between returning QB Brayden Schager and a pair of transfers. Three starters are back on the offensive line, but depth is lacking. There are no mincing words here – the Warriors defense was atrocious last season. There are two physical 300-lb DTs in Blessman Ta’ala and John Tuitupou who can be a starting point for improvement. There are holes elsewhere across the defense, and transfers will be counted on to contribute immediately. Chang should begin to clean up the Warriors’ image, but results on the field will be slow in coming.
Nevada Wolf Pack (2021/8-5, 5-3/T5th) – Despite a bowl win, Nevada is a program in transition. Former coach Jay Norvell bolted for conference rival Colorado State. New Coach Ken Wilson has extensive experience with the Wolf Pack program, but he is dealing with significant personnel losses to both graduation and the transfer portal. There will be competition in fall camp to replace NFL bound QB Carson Strong, and the WR corps were decimated by graduation. Transfers will be counted on heavily on the offensive line. The defense was solid, but like the offense lost a lot of quality players. DT Dom Peterson has been productive at DT and moves outside in the new scheme. Barring some quick help from the transfer portal, Nevada figures to take a step back.
New Mexico Lobos (2021/3-9, 1-7/12th) – New Mexico has a massive rebuilding project on its hands. The offense was ranked dead last nationally in both PPG and YPG. The offensive line has only starters back from a group that struggled last year. Isaiah Chavez did what he could last year as a backup QB, but he’s getting some competition from transfers. The defense was respectable a year ago led by the secondary. The standout is Jerrick Reid who tallied 89 tackles from his safety position. They will need to generate more of a pass rush. The Lobos have a long climb back to respectability and this season is likely to be only a small step in that process.
San Diego State Aztecs (2021/12-2, 7-1/1st) – San Diego State had a memorable 2021, finished with 12 wins and a bowl game triumph over UTEP. Coach Brady Hoke has the pieces in place to keep the good times rolling. Hoke’s offense specializes in running the ball and controlling the clock. The offensive is being retooled but has an ALL-MWC center in Alama Uluave. If transfer QB Braxton Burmeister can help balance the offense, the Aztecs should be able to play their pounding style. The defense was outstanding and has the talent to repeat that performance. Jonah Tavai is a tremendously versatile DL who can line up inside or outside and LB Caden McDonald will help anchor a dominant front seven. This team is a major threat to win the MVC title and record another double- digit win total.
San Jose State Spartans (2021/5-7, 3-5/T7th) – The Spartans went from conference champion to middle of the pack in 2021. However, the pieces are in place for a better finish for Brent Brennan’s squad. The offensive live combines experience with top notch transfers so it should perform well. They will be blocking for QB Chevan Cordeiro, a Hawaii transfer who threw for 4,500 yards in four seasons in Honolulu. And all four top receivers are back. The defense brings back nine starters including a pair of all-MWC DEs Villami Fehoko and Cade Hall. If the secondary steps up, this defense should be quite good. The Spartans should be better with the experienced roster, but will that be enough to challenge the top teams?
UNLV Rebels (2021/2-10, 2-6/T9th) – UNLV endured more hard times in 2021, and the outlook for 2022 is not particularly bright. The Rebels last played in a bowl game back in 2013. At QB, Tennessee transfer Harrison Bailey shows promise, but he will need significant improvement from an offensive line that had trouble against opposing pass rushers. There are experienced WRs in the fold, but they will need to replace star back Charles Williams. The defense struggled as well, and a small defensive line will likely get pushed around by opposing offensive lines. The secondary must make more plays as well. This program has remained in the doldrums, and there are not many signs of a quick turnaround.
Utah State Aggies (2021/11-3, 6-2/1st) – Utah State had a terrific year with 11 wins and a bowl game victory over Oregon State. The offense averaged 447 YPG and returns several key contributors. QB Logan Bonner returns to keep the passing game humming and four veteran starters up front should allow Bonner to throw downfield more often. The defense was solid, and veterans like DE Byron Vaughns should allow youngsters at linebackers and the secondary to develop. The Aggies have enough talent to compete for the title, and the conference schedule is favorable outside of a late game at Boise State.
Wyoming Cowboys (2021/7-6, 2-6/T9th) – Wyoming was able to turn around some early losses into a winning season and bowl game win. Craig Bohl’s squad is hoping to continue that momentum in 2022. The offense lost a lot of players to the transfer portal including both QBs. With a transfer attempting to take the reins, the running game will be counted upon to pick up the slack. On defense, the linebackers will be the key unit including Easton Gibbs. The secondary will depend on quick relief from transfers. This Cowboy team will need inexperienced skill players to grow up quickly in order to have success.
Standings Projections
1. Boise State Broncos (10-2, 7-1) | Season Win Total – 9 | Bet the Over
T2. Fresno State Bulldogs (9-3, 6-2) | Season Win Total – 8.5 | Bet the Over
T2. San Diego State Aztecs (9-3, 6-2) | Season Win Total – 7.5 | Bet the Over
T4. Air Force Falcons (7-5, 5-3) | Season Win Total – 8.5 | Bet the Under
T4. Utah State Aggies (7-5, 5-3) | Season Win Total – 7.5 | Bet the Under
T6. Colorado State Rams (6-6, 4-4) | Season Win Total – 5.5 | Bet the Over
T6. Wyoming Cowboys (6-6, 4-4) | Season Win Total – 5 | Bet the Over
T8. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (5-7, 3-5) | Season Win Total – 4.5 | Bet the Over
T8. Nevada Wolf Pack (6-6, 3-5) | Season Win Total – 4.5 | Bet the Over
T8. San Jose State Spartans (6-6, 3-5) | Season Win Total – 6.5 | Bet the Under
11. UNLV Rebels (4-8, 2-6) | Season Win Total – 4.5 | Bet the Under
12. New Mexico Lobos (3-9, 0-8) | Season Win Total – 3.5 | Bet the Under
Conference Championship: Boise State over Fresno State
Comentários